Skip to main content

DIY Lemon and Strawberry Body Mist Spray

There’s something so refreshing about a light, fruity body mist, especially when it’s homemade with your favorite scents. In this post, I’ll be showing you how to make a Lemon and Strawberry Body Mist Spray that smells divine, feels light on the skin, and leaves you feeling fresh all day.  This body mist combines the sweet notes of strawberries with the crisp, clean scent of lemon, a perfect match for anyone who loves bright, cheerful fragrances. The best part? You can make it easily at home using simple ingredients and safe formulation techniques! Why Make Your Own Body Mist? Commercial body mists can sometimes contain unnecessary synthetic ingredients that may irritate sensitive skin or cause dryness. Making your own gives you full control over the ingredients, you know exactly what’s going into your product. This Lemon and Strawberry Body Mist combines fruity, cheerful notes of strawberry and zesty lemon with gentle moisturizing and refreshing agents. It’s perfect for hot days, ...

Understanding the Difference Between O/W and W/O Emulsions

If you’re a beginner formulator, one of the most confusing topics you’ll come across is understanding the difference between O/W (oil-in-water) and W/O (water-in-oil) emulsions.

Let’s simplify it once and for all.



What Is an Emulsion?

An emulsion is simply a mixture of oil and water, two liquids that don’t naturally blend. Since water and oil are immiscible, they need a “mediator” to help them mix smoothly.

That’s where emulsifiers come in.
An emulsifier is a special ingredient that binds oil and water together, creating a stable and uniform mixture.

Depending on the proportion of oil and water used, and the type of emulsifier, your formulation can either be O/W (oil-in-water) or W/O (water-in-oil).

Oil-in-Water (O/W) Emulsions

This type of emulsion has water as the main component (the continuous phase) and oil droplets dispersed within it.

In simple terms, a small amounts of oil are mixed into a larger quantity of water.

These emulsions are generally:

  • Lightweight to medium in texture

  • Easier to stabilize

  • More hydrating (because of their high water content)

  • Quick to absorb into the skin

Common emulsifiers used for (O/W) emulsions:

  • Emulsifying Wax (E-wax)

  • Olivem 1000

  • Polawax

  • Montanov 68

Examples of (O/W) Emulsions:

  • Lotions

  • Moisturizing face creams

  • Light body milks

Think of your daily body lotion, smooth, light, and quick to absorb. That’s an O/W emulsion.

Water-in-Oil (W/O) Emulsions

In contrast, W/O emulsions have oil as the main component (the continuous phase) and tiny water droplets dispersed inside it.

In simple terms, a small amount of water is mixed into a larger quantity of oil.

These emulsions are generally:

  • Thicker and richer in texture

  • More moisturizing (due to the high oil content)

  • Slower to absorb

  • A bit harder to stabilize

Common emulsifiers used for (W/O) emulsions:

  • Sorbitan Olivate

  • Polyglyceryl-3 Polyricinoleate (PGPR)

  • Cetyl Dimethicone Copolyol

Examples of (W/O) Emulsions:

  • Heavy night creams

  • Baby creams

  • Barrier ointments

  • Cold creams

If you’ve ever used a thick, buttery hand cream that leaves a soft protective film on your skin, that’s a W/O emulsion.

A Common Misunderstanding

Many beginner formulators think that “oil-in-water” means you literally pour the oil into the water phase, or that “water-in-oil” means adding water into the oil phase.

That’s not what these terms mean.

They refer to the ratio and the continuous phase, in other words, which liquid is in higher quantity and which surrounds the other. You can pour oil into water or vice versa, depending on your ch, what truly matters is the composition and the emulsifier system, not the pouring order.

Final Thought

So next time you see O/W or W/O, think about the balance between oil and water, not just the mixing process.

  • O/W = Water-based, light, and hydrating

  • W/O = Oil-based, rich, and deeply moisturizing

Once you understand this foundation, you’ll find it much easier to design your own lotions and creams, and even troubleshoot them like a pro!

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Homemade Sugar Soap Recipe

If you’re looking for a soap that cleanses, exfoliates, and leaves your skin feeling silky-smooth, this strawberry-scented sugar soap might just become your new favorite! This recipe is pure joy to make,  scented with strawberry fragrance and boosted with sugar for extra lather and a smoother skin feel. The magic of sugar in soapmaking is that it also enhances the bubbly lather and provides gentle exfoliation for a soft, refined skin texture. Key Ingredients and Benefits 1. Sugar : Adds gentle exfoliation and boosts lather for a richer, creamier foam. 2. Grapeseed Oil : Light, quick-absorbing, and full of antioxidants to help soften and protect the skin. 3. Olive Oil : Nourishes and moisturizes, helping to produce a mild, conditioning bar. 4. Shea Butter : Adds creaminess and helps protect skin from dryness with rich fatty acids. 5. Palm Kernel Oil : Creates a hard bar with excellent lather and cleansing power. 6. Soybean Oil : Softens skin, conditions, and adds a silky after-fee...

5 Ingredients Rinse-Out Conditioner

My hair has been in a protective style for some time, and as I was getting ready to loosen it, wash, and prep for a new style, I realized I didn’t have any rinse-out conditioner left at home. Since I’ve been making my own personal care products for a while, I wasn’t ready to spend a high fee on commercial products that may not even work well for me. So, I challenged myself to come up with a conditioner formula using only the few ingredients I had left. After some deliberating, I was able to come up with a simple  5-ingredient rinse-out conditioner ,  and let me tell you, it turned out amazing! It was creamy and left my hair soft, moisturized, and with enough slip to detangle easily. Plus, it was super easy to make. Even beginners in formulation can try this recipe confidently. Why “Rinse-Out” Conditioner? There are two main categories of conditioners;  rinse-out conditioners and leave-in conditioners .  Rinse-out conditioners are used after shampooing to res...